Human Rights (PhD, full-time and part-time)

Dr. Kathleen Cavanaugh

Dr. Shane Darcy

Dr. Ray Murphy

Over the years, the achievements of the Centre’s doctoral graduates <http://www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/doctoral_graduates.html>  have paid great tribute to quality of the Ph.D. programme.  Most of our graduates have taken up permanent teaching positions at prestigious institutions and the vast majority have published, or are in the course of publishing, their doctoral theses with leading international publishers. A small number are also working at a high level for various inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the International Criminal Court.

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is home to a committed and enthusiastic group of doctoral students engaged in research on a wide variety of topics pertaining to human rights, humanitarian law and international criminal law. This course would be suited to those individuals keen to undertake further learning and willing to dedicate themselves to a significant research project in the field of human rights.

In addition to researching and writing for your doctoral dissertation, students are encouraged to participate in the various activities of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, including conferences, lectures and Summer Schools. Doctoral candidates are invited to audit seminars that are offered by the Centre as part of the post-graduate teaching programmes and also to contribute to research projects carried out at the Centre. Opportunities exist for doctoral candidates to deliver lunchtime seminars on their specific topics and to gain valuable teaching experience both on and off campus.

For the benefit of doctoral candidates, the Centre organises a week-long doctoral seminar <http://www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/Programmes/phd_seminar.html> each year which features a distinguished panel of visiting academics in the field of human rights. During the seminar, candidates are invited to present and defend the findings of their research. Throughout the academic year, doctoral candidates also meet with the Centre’s director on a monthly basis to discuss recent developments and case-law of mutual interest as part of their regular study programme.